The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-09-01

ibid not at all like. It was sly. sim
lister look. but Il passed swiftly away
. and was replaced BY one Of anxiety.
l was the first to speak, saying.
well, are you in troublet'
I'm great trouble. sir. she replied.
Il have been living with my brother
on small ranch about fifteen miles
distant Two hours ago dozen Kick
apoo Indians visited the place, wounds
ed my brother, and set fire to the
house, and would have assaulted me
had not fled OH this horse They pur-
sued me for several miles, and Il"
Here she broke down and began to
cry and sob. What could ! do but ask
her to dismount give her my
! promise Of protection. and say that
when my partner returned we would
drive straight 10 the ranch and sacri-
| fee our lives. if need be, to rescue her
brother and teach the Indians n lessonp
She did not come down without con-
siderable palayer, seeming to be very
sensitive about getting ME Into trouble,
and when she did take seat on the
blankets prepared for her. she contin-
ued to cry and lament and would not
touch mouthful of food.
1t had grown dark by the time had
eaten my supper, and it was now time
TO look for Patton. l sought as any
man would have done under the cir.
cumstances, to cheer the woman up,
and by and by she gave over crying
and seemed a bit more hopeful She
explained that she had removed to the
Territory from Clarksville, Ark, three
years before, being widow with one
son. The son had died within the
year. and the brother, who was an old
bachelor, and not in good health, had
come on TO remain until the place
could be sold out A Kickapoo buck
had taken grent fancy to the wom-
an, and wanted to marry her. and her
indignant refusal had called down the
raid made that day. Her story filled
me with Indignation. and as night
came on | was terribly impatient for
Patton to return. About half-past
nine o'clock heard the gallop of
horses. and was ready to welcome my
partner. but before they had come in
sight the widow sprang up in great
terror and cried out:
''0h. sir, they are the indians who
have been on my trail Don't let
them take me awayl Let me hide in
the wagonp'
'.In with you quick, and they will
have to kill me before they lay hands
on you, Ireplied, and she disappeared
beneath the cover with astonishing
celebrity.
The gallop came nearer and nearer,
and presently avoice hailed me:
1.-THE camp thar-hello!"
"Who is itp"
Friends"
Come in.
With that half breed and Kicka-
poo came riding into camp on hors es
which had neither saddle nor blanket.
Both men looked savage and sullen,
and were we'll armed. The half-breed
could speak very good English. and
when he had come to a halt and looked
around, he said:
I'VE are after the woman who came
into your camp couple ofhours ago. l
see her horse over there.
by what authority do you demand
herP''
"None of your business We have
come for her. and we mean to have
her."
DO you mean that you will take
her by forceP"
Il do; and let me give you a piece
of advice. see you are tenderfoot.
Don't put on too many airs in this
county. It's great place to have
ones wings clipped in hurry. Don't
attempt any foolishness with US, or
you'll never knowwhat hurt you"
/ had my Winchester in hand and
two revolvers in my belt Had been
hot-tempered man, there would
have been some shooting before he
had concluded his bombastic speech.
am slow TO anger. especially when
human life may pay the forfeit, and /
heard him through without being
rolled. The woman was hidden away
in the wagon, and had not revealed
her presence to them by word or move.
'1f the woman chooses TO go with
you, well and good, y answered. as
looked the fellow over by the light of
the camp fire. If she does not you
can not take her."
"Oh. we can't ehP You crow pretty
loud for spring chicke n. Well, ask
the wench to make choice.
The wagon was about ten PAGES from
the fire, and in the shadow, although
not SO much so that could not see it
pretty plainly. 1 had made step to-
ward it when l saw black object
under the wheels, and, supposing it to
be vol. Iraised my gun and took a
snap shot. caring only to send a bullet
near enough to drive it away. The
object disappeared with the echoes Of
the report, and as l walked along to
the wagon, the two men, who had not
dismounted, accompanied me. Stand
ing within FIVE feet of the vehicle
called to the woman and asked if she
desired to go with the men. and she re-
piled;
"Ohl sir, save me from them. even if
you have to shoot me-"
"But you've got to comet shouted
the half-breed.
''She shall not GOT / shouted at him.
81 give you two villains sixty seconds
in which to leave camp. Now go!"
They were close together. and my
rifle covered both. They looked
straight at me for fifteen or twenty
seconds. and then turned and rode
away into the darkness. followed
them for a hundred yards, when they